Uses and Composition of Arecanut
Uses and Composition of Arecanut
Dry nuts are made from fresh ripe fruits. It is used by the people all over the country for chewing purpose in tender, ripe or processed form. India consumes 89% of the word produce. Chewing arecanut have a toning effect on body. It also stinulate the nervous system and it have some vermicidal effect. In industries it is used in tanning of leather. It has medicinal value due to contents of few alkalods (Arecolme 0.2 to 0.7 %). It plays a prominent role- in religious, social and cultural life irrespective of caste and social status.
An important by-product of the arecanut industry is the husk of the arecanut which can be utilized for making boards, paper etc. "Chogaru", a byproduct obtained from the processing of tender nut is rich in tannins which can be used for converting hides into leather for treating the fishing-nets and for ‘:preparing ink. The spathe covering of the infloreasoence, and the leaf-sheath can be used for making caps and for packing. The palm trunk is a useful building material.
Arecanut contains water 30%, protein 5%, fat 3%, carbohydrates 47%, total alkaloids (arecoline) 0.2-0.7 per cent.